A Late And Puzzling Reappearance

There are decisions that, from outside the dressing room — and perhaps even inside it — are hard to explain. It happened with Rodrygo in the summer, and now it seems to be happening again with Endrick. The Brazilian had logged just 11 minutes all season, yet suddenly reappeared in Xabi Alonso’s plans despite having his loan move to Olympique Lyon almost agreed for January.

The timing makes the situation even more puzzling. Endrick had been completely off the competitive radar, with no continuity or real trust, only to resurface just as his immediate future appears to lie away from the Santiago Bernabéu.

Few Minutes, A Lasting Impression

The first sign came against Manchester City, when Xabi turned to Bobby out of necessity due to Kylian Mbappé’s absence. He played only six minutes, but that was enough to unleash a powerful header that crashed off Donnarumma’s crossbar, reinforcing the idea that he can deliver a lot with very little.

Against Talavera, the goal never arrived, but the presence did. While others faded, Endrick tried to carry the team, demanded the ball, and showed personality. It stood in stark contrast to recent matches in which his coach didn’t even use all his substitutions, leaving the Brazilian unused on the bench.

Desire, Personality, And A Message That Spoke Volumes

Instead of treating the Copa tie as a risk ahead of his move to France, Endrick played with intensity and commitment. “He was very lively,” Xabi Alonso admitted afterward. He even dared to correct Mbappé during a missed chance, suggesting he should have chipped the goalkeeper — a small moment that revealed confidence and character.

The real noise, however, came later. On social media, Endrick posted a short but striking message: “Thank you for everything, God!”, accompanied by photos from the Talavera match. No explanation, no context — but a tone that many interpreted as a quiet farewell.

An Unusual Ending And An Uncertain Pause

The Brazilian will not get a second chance to say goodbye at the Bernabéu. A red card picked up on the bench against Celta rules him out of the match against Sevilla, the final game of the year. His departure to Lyon is imminent, with a return expected in July.

Until then, the path is clear for Gonzalo, while one lingering feeling remains: we may have already witnessed Endrick’s last appearance for Real Madrid — even if no one is quite ready to say it out loud.

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